NIGERIA NEWS

Police Opened Fire on Peaceful Protesters, Says Omoyele Sowore

Omoyele Sowore has accused security operatives of attacking peaceful protesters during the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” rally in Abuja.

He said police opened fire despite the demonstrators following all agreed procedures.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies of attacking peaceful demonstrators during the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest in Abuja on Monday.

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Sowore, who convened the protest, said participants were peaceful and followed all agreed procedures before police officers began shooting and firing teargas to disperse them. He explained that the demonstration was organized to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services.

According to him, the protesters had planned to march to the Presidential Villa, but security operatives blocked the route and launched an assault without any provocation. “The protest was peaceful and orderly. There was no provocation from us. Yet, the police and other security teams arrived with about ten trucks and began shooting immediately,” Sowore said.

He condemned the use of force against unarmed citizens, insisting that their actions were within the law. Sowore further stated that such violent responses to peaceful gatherings undermine citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The activist called for accountability, urging the authorities to investigate the incident and ensure justice for those attacked.

Meanwhile, parts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, were heavily congested on Monday morning as protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, took to the streets.

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Despite the presence of security personnel at key locations, major roads in Abuja were nearly shut down, leaving many commuters stranded. The busy Kugbo–Nyanya section of the Abuja–Keffi expressway was particularly affected, with long queues of vehicles stretching for several kilometres.

Motorists heading into the city from the Nyanya axis reported slow traffic and partial roadblocks caused by parked vehicles linked to the demonstration.

Jeremiah Nwabuzo

Nwabuzo Jeremiah, the visionary CEO of Kobo Media Global and Chief Editor at Newskobo.com, Nigeria’s most trusted and innovative online news platform.

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